Our first Sussex County Spooktacular – Halloween Decorating Challenge has come to an end, and what an event it was!!!
The Challenge began on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 and ran through Friday, October 25, 2024. Final judging took place from October 26-29 and winners were notified by email on October 31.
During the 25 days of this event we had 14 entries and over 12,000 views of the displays!
We want to thank everyone who entered their spooky displays in our Challenge, and to everyone who visited our website to View, Vote, and Visit all of these great creations. The support we received for our first Sussex County Spooktacular – Halloween Decorating Challenge was just amazing, and based on community feedback next year’s event is going to be even bigger!!!
I have to say, your displays didn’t disappoint! There were so many great ones entered, and it was so much fun driving around and looking at many of them during this Halloween season.
We took a trip around Sussex County and visited the top 5 displays with the most community votes. We looked at the top 5 because 3rd – 5th place were all really, really close in Votes, and we felt it was necessary to give all of those displays a full review.
While not everyone who entered will win a prize, the entire county won because you stepped up and created a display for all to enjoy!
So without further ado let’s start with our honorable mentions…
Honorable Mentions
Halloween Projection Mapping Shows
First we have Halloween Projection Mapping Shows. Located in Vernon Township, this display was really cool!
The entire front of the house had video projected on it. But not just like a big movie screen, the graphics were actually mapped to the house. A creepy door in the video lined up perfectly with the front door of the house, same with the windows. So when the video played it looked like the house door was opening and that people were standing in the windows watching us!!!
Adding to the experience, you could hear synchronized music and effects playing on your phone through a special website. And if you had your phone plugged in, you could hear the audio through your car speakers.
Thank you for creating such a cool interactive experience!
Alfreds Spooky Party
The next honorable mention is Alfred’s Spooky Party. Located in Hopatcong, the homeowners created a fun story to go along with their display. Alfred the 8 foot skeleton and his friends were definitely getting their party on at this house!🤣
This display had skeletons everywhere you looked along with some other familiar Halloween characters. The string lights, animated projections, colored lights, and strobes really added to the visual excitement.
While this wasn’t the biggest display, it was entertaining and worth the trip to see it. Thank you for your hard work and creativity!
Third Place
Rock the Hallow at Snover Road
Now to Third Place and the winner of the $50 gift card to Applebee’s, Rock the Hallow at Snover Road. Located in Lafayette this was probably the biggest display as it was spread out over a large front lawn.
Greeting you as you turned on to Snover Road was a HUGE skeleton climbing out of the ground. On the far end of the lawn was the “Be Grateful You’re Dead” band, three animatronic skeletons rocking out to some Metallica. Below the band was a large screen with fire graphics. Throughout the rest of the lawn were large scale skeletons with glowing eyes and fiery chests. There were other familiar characters like the Headless Horseman and a giant Jack Skellington.
This was a large scale display that left a big impression. Thank you for the Giant-sized effort!!!🤣
Second Place
Dales Xing Halloween Lights
Now to Second Place and the winner of the $75 gift card to Tractor Supply, Dales Xing Halloween Lights. Located in Wantage this display lit up the neighborhood with a purple and orange glow.
As we were driving down the street towards this display, you could see the light reflecting off the trees and surrounding area. There were a ton of vintage and modern blow mold characters, and the string lights wrapped the trees, bushes and house. It was fun looking at all the different characters throughout the lawn. There were a bunch of pumpkins, ghosts, skeletons, a few Draculas, Candy Corns and more.
Congratulations on your Second Place win, and thank you for sharing your amazing display with the community.
First Place
Father John’s Display
And now, our First Place winner, and recipient of a $250 Gift Certificate to The Ampersand Inn….. Father John’s Display!!!
Located in Hampton nestled back in the Hampton Commons townhome community, this display was created to provide joy to the neighbors and the hundreds of children who Trick or Treat there every year. Additionally, the homeowners who have a passion for the safety and well being of our furry friends, provided an opportunity for the community to support Father John’s Animal House, an animal rescue organization based right here in Sussex County.
Great things truly do come in small packages. If you’ve never visited Hampton Commons, the space to decorate is very limited but these homeowners made the most of it. They had string lights along the roof and doors, and lining the driveway, walkway, and curb. There were blow molds along with an animatronic witch and led characters on the house. The spotlights by the curb highlighted the pumpkin and flower display along with the Father John’s donation sign. I was told that on Halloween night, the homeowners have huge inflatable haunted house that Trick or Treaters can walk through as they get their candy.
This was a fun display and received the most community votes. Congratulations on your First Place win!!!
Congratulations to all of our winners!!!
We’re excited about next year’s Sussex County Spooktacular event, keep an eye out for more information coming in September 2025.
Happy Halloween!!!
Members of Life In Sussex staff have contributed to this post.
